Many people assume that prescription drugs are safer or less harmful to the body, but there is a wide range of negative effects if they are misused. 

​Prescription drugs are medications that are obtained by seeing a physician.
​There are numerous different types of prescription medications.

Pain Relievers

• Medications that relieve headaches, muscle pain, arthritis, or other aches and pains.
• Many options are over-the-counter, meaning they can be bought without a prescription. If these do not help the pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. 
• Includes the Opioid class of drugs, such as Hydrocodone (aka Vicodin), Oxycodone (aka OxyContin), Morphine, Fentanyl and Codeine.
• They mimic the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, by attaching to the receptors in the brain and therefore, blocking the perception of pain.
• They can produce drowsiness, nausea, constipation and slow breathing, potentially to dangerously low levels.
• When these drugs are misused, they are highly addictive. They can also cause an accidental overdose.

Tranquilizers and Sedatives

• They depress, or slow down, the Central Nervous System (CNS), therefore slowing normal brain function, producing a drowsy or calming effect.
• Aka Barbiturates or Benzodiazepines
• Includes Xanax, Valium, and Librium.
• Prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks and sleep disorders.
• Many young people hear that they can cause euphoria, and become curious.

Stimulants

• Sometimes referred to as "uppers"
• Includes Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine.
• Often prescribed for ADHD, narcolepsy, and depression.
• Temporarily increases alertness, attention and energy, by enhancing the effects of norepinephrine and dopamine (hormones involved in regulation and emotion) in the brain.
• Increases blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and opens up pathways of the respiratory system.
• Increases body temperature
• Can cause irregular heartbeat or seizures.
• When these drugs are misused, they can be addictive.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications

Over-the-counter, or OTC, medications can be bought in store, without a doctor’s permission. These include things like: Advil, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Excedrin, etc.

OTC medicines can also be medicines for things such as coughs, cold/flu, allergies, sore throats, stomach problems, fevers, and rashes/itching.